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Nantyglo waste firm probe after blaze

A WASTE paper collection company is being investigated after 200 tonnes of waste was burning at the site for more than 24 hours.

Firefighters tackled the blaze at the site of Adrian Lewis Waste Paper Collections Ltd, Blaenant Road, Nantyglo for around four hours on Saturday evening but have been visiting the site around twice a day since due to parts of the waste pile reigniting.

A spokeswoman for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the case had now closed with them but an Environment Agency Wales spokesman said the agency would be investigating into whether the cause of the fire was related to any environmental offences at the facility.

Agency officers have been visiting the site throughout the weekend to monitor environmental damage.

They said there are no signs of any impact to the nearby environment at this stage but they will continue to monitor the situation closely.

The cause of the fire at the site, which is permitted by Environment Agency Wales, is currently unknown.

The spokesman said the main priority was to work with the fire service to ensure the fire risk has passed and that people and the nearby environment are protected.

He said: "Once this has happened, we will then need to look closely at what caused the fire.

"If we find evidence to suggest that the company was in breach of their environmental permit, we will take the necessary action against them."

Staff at Adrian Lewis declined to comment.

Residents said the waste has been an issue for some time within the area.

Elsie and Alan Williams, of Limestone Road East, said the waste was causing a smell in the area.

Mrs Williams said: "During the summer, it was bad. It’s a terrible smell. We can’t open the back bedroom windows either because there is so much dust."